Process and apparatus for forming sheet glass



Aug. ll, 1931. J. l.. DRAKE PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING SHEET GLASS Filed Jan. 20. 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet l :Jn/vanto@ Jhn L. Dra/(e SILN.

Aug. 11, 1931.

.L L. BRAKE 1,818,204

PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING SHEET GLASS Filed Jan. 20, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 z/ Gfx/H20 JEMPMM l abbinati Patented Aug. 1v1, 193i PATENT OFFICE JOHN L. BRAKE, OF- TOLEDO, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO'LIBBEY-OWENS-EOBD GLASS COMPANY,

OF TOLEDO, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO .PROCESS A ND APPARATUS FOR FORMING SHEET GLASS Application filed January 20, 1928. Serial No. 248,028.

The present invention relates to a process and apparatus for forming sheet glass.

Oneof the objects of this invention is to provide a process and apparatus of this character whereby sheet glass may be expeditiously formed and sheets which are substantially flat and of predetermined dimensions obtained.

Another object of this invention is to provide a process and apparatus of this nature wherein molten glass is deposited upon a moving support and gradually reduced through successive stages to a sheet ofsubstant-ially predetermined dimensions.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a process and apparatus of this nature wherein molten glass is first completely melted and refined in a receptacle and then deposited upon a moving surface and reduced.y 2o to a sheet of substantially predetermined dimensions by spreading it outwardly trom its center. 1

Still another object of this invention is to provide a process and apparatus of this '25 nature wherein molten glass is first created in a receptacle and completely refined therein and then deposited upon a movable supporting surface moving in a substantially horizont-al plane and rolled to sheet form by gradually reducing it in thickness while simultaneously increasing it in width. Still another object otthis invention is to provide such a process and apparatus wherein molten glass is deposited upon a temperature controlled moving support and gradually reduced while on said support through successive stages to a sheet of substantially predetermined dimensions.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a process and apparatus of this character wherein previously completely melted and refined molten glass is deposited upon a support moving in a horizontal plane and subjected to the action of co-operating rolling members whereby the molten glass is rolled through sucessive stages into a sheet of substantially predetermined dimensions. Various other objects, advantages and novel details of construction of this invention 50 will be made more apparent as this descripdicated by lines 3 3, 4 4, 5-5, and6--6 in Figure l, and

Figure 7 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view through amodified constructionvof sheet forming mechanism.

Referring now to the drawings and more.

particularly to Figures 1 to 6 inclusive it will be noted that there is illustrated a movable support indicated generally by the reference character l() and in the form of construction herein illustrated consisting essentially of a; plurality of table sections or members 11 each. of which is provided with rolls or wheels 12 by means of which these members may be moved and guided along a track or guideway 13.

Each table -member 11 is provided with a substantially plane upper sheet supporting surface 14 and a. continuous movable support is provided by employing a number of members 11 arranged end to end inabutting relation. Any desired form of coupling means such as indicated at 15 may be pro vided for .detachably uniting the several table members so that a continuous unbroken surface is presented under the forming means yet to be referred to. AIn practice, the table members are moved along the trackwa-ys 13 end to end in abutting relation and those table members which have moved under and passed the sheet forming mechanism are subsequently uncoupled from the train and again placed on the trackway 13 inradvance ot the sheet forming mechanism.

Furthermore, the table -members 11 are of such a length and the depositing of the mol` ten glass is sotimed that a complete sheet is preferably formed on each table whereby the glass forming a single sheet does not ice v a multaneously increased in width so that the l.ifhainber being provide extend over the joint between two adjacent tables. v Y Co-o erating with the movable support are a p urality of rolls 16, 17, 18 and 19. These 5 rolls are rotatably mounted by means of shafts `and while anyneferred or desired means may. be employe for rotating these rolls such means is herein illustrated as comprising gears or pinions 21 fixed to the shafts 1' 20 and meshing with racks 22 arranged along the longitudinal edges of the table members 11. .Thus as the table sections or movable supports move past the fixedly mounted rolls these rolls are rotated in timed relation with 15 the movement of the movable support.

The rolls 16, 17 and 18 gradually taper from their centers toward their opposite ends while the roll 19 is cylindrical and cooperates with the movable support to form a strai ht sheet formin pass aving straight para el sides. The egree of ta r of the several rolls 16, 17 and 18 gra ually de-v creases from the first mentioned roll to the last mentioned one so that the rolls gradua'llly approach cylindrical form.

e istance lthe roll 19 is spaced from the movable support 10v determines the thickness of the sheet produced. Each roll is also preferably provided at its o posite ends with collars or the like 23 whic the molten glass from flowing beyondthe ends ofthe rolls and each table section 11 of the movable supportl 10 is provided with adjacent the longitudinal edges thereof for Y eo-operation with the collars 23 to define the limits within .which the molten lass ma Aflow laterally and to determine t e widt of the sheet.

By reason of the articular construction of the forming ro s the space between these rolls and the movable support varies, gradually decreasing from the roll` 16 to the roll 19 so that the stream of molten 45 lass passing therebetween' is graduall reuced. in thickness. Also because o the formation of these rolls the lglass is spread A outwa-rdl from its center towards the op- 'te en s thereof and thus the stream while g gradually reduced in thickness is. si-

, resultant sheet will be of substantially predetermined dimensions. Y f *Means is provided for adequately control-l 55 ling the temperature of the mass of molten glass as 1t is deposited upon the sheet forniv mg'means and of the sheet during the for- A mative period. For this purpose a compartment or chamber 25 is provided through 50 which the movable su port passes, this with an opening fffcontrolled by a suitable cover or gate '27. By removing the gate 27 a melting receptacle or pot 28 containing previously 9 5 completely melted and refined molten glass serve to prevent longitudinally extending ledges 24 arranged ma be introduced into the compartment 25 an poured or deposited upon the' movable support 10 to create the mass of molten glass 29.

The temperature of this compartment 25 70 .may be controlled in any desired manner by any suitable heating means, and burners or other suitable heating means 30 can also be provided to control the temperature of the molten mass 29 prior to the time that it passes beneath the forming rolls to maintain the same in a plastic workable condition.

As the movable support passes out of compartment 25 it passes into compartment or chamber 31 in which the rolls 16, 17, 18 and 19 are located. The temperature of this comartment or chamber may also be controlled mdependently of the chamber 25 in any desired manner and burners or the like 32 are preferably employed to control the temperature of the glass as it passes under the rolls whereby to maintain the same in a plastic workable condition. The compartment 31 preferably extends to or adjacent to an annealing lehr 33 into which the formed sheet is conveyed by means of the movable support 10. v I

Means is also provided for controlling the temperature of each of the tables or supporting members 11. For this purpose each table is preferably of a hollow vconstruction'providing heat compartments or chambers 34 opening preferably as at 35 along the lontudinal sides thereof. Positioned along the path of travel of the table sections 11 are a plurality of burners 36, these burners being so positioned that the flames thereof play f lwithin or enter the heating compartments 34 through the openings 35 thereof. Thus as the movable table members 11 pass along the trackway 13 the interiors thereof are constantly subjected to the heat from the burners 36. 'In this manner the temperature of these tables may be adequately regulated or controlled. By reason of the foregoing it will be evident that the temperature of the glass may be ad uately controlled from the time it is deposite in a molten mass until the sheet is completely formed;

While any desired or preferred means may be ,employed for moving the table members along the trackway 13 the means herein shown consists of a gear 37 engaging a rack 38 carried by the table members.

In Figure 7 a slightlylmodified form of construction is illustrated. In this form the mass of molten glass 39 is created in a meltingpot or receptacle 40 and then deposited upon a movable support consisting of an endless belt 41 carried by. pulleys or drums 42. Means 43 for maintaining the endless belt taut may and preferably is being provided.

The upper flight of the endless belt 41 is supported by' means of a table or support 44 .to prevent the same from sagging and 13G thus provides a rigid non-yieldable support upon which to deposit the mass of molten glass 39. Coloperating with the movable support is a plurality of rolls 45, 46, 47 and 48 similar in shape, construction and operation to the rolls 16, 17, 18 and 19 of the previouslydescribed construction. 'lhese rolls may be driven in any desired manner and co-operate With the support 44 in the manner previously described to gradually reduce the mass of molten glass through successive stages to a sheet of substantially predetermined dimensions. The formed sheet is supported, upon leaving the endless belt 41, by means of a supporting-,member 5l and then passes bet-Ween a pair of rolls 52 into an annealing lehr 53. The temperature of the supporting member 5l and ofthe rolls 52 may be controlled in any desired manner preferably by circulating a temperature control medium through their hollow interiors.

While several embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated herein somewhat in detail it will be readily apparent to those skilled in this art that various changes,`modiications and re-arrangements of the constructions illustrated may be resorted to Without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and to this end reservation is made to make such changes .as may come Within the purview of the accompanying claims.

Claims:

1. In the process of forming sheet glass, those steps which consist in depositing a mass of molten glass upon a movable support and moving said support to bring the molten glass under a. plurality of formingv rolls to subject the same to a series of -successive rolling operations wherein the glass is reduced first at its center and the end portions then subsequently reduced gradually through successive stages to the same thickness to form a sheet of substantially predetermined thickness and Width.

2. In the process of forming sheet glass,

-those steps which consist in depositing a mass of molten glass on'a movable support Within a temperature controlled chamber and gradually reducing the same While upon said support through successive stages to sheet form in a second temperature controlled chamber.

3. In sheet glass forming apparatus, a movable support for a mass of molten glass,- a plurality of sheet forming rolls co-operating therewith to gradually reduce the molten glass through successive stages to sheet form and separate temperature controlled chambers enclosing said movable support at the point of deposit of said molten glass and saidy sheet forming rolls.

4. In sheet glass forming apparatus, a longitudinally moving support, means for depositing a mass ot molten glass thereon, a

plurality of sheet forming rolls c-operating with said support to gradually reduce the molten glass through successive stages to sheet form, a chamber enclosing said movable support at the point of depositof said molten glass, a second chamber in which said sheet forming rolls are located, and means for independently controlling the temperature ofV said chambers.

5. In sheet glass forming apparatus, a lonvgitudinally moving supporting member, a

plurality of temperature controlled chambers through which said support moves, means for depositing a mass of molten glass upon said support in one of said chambers a plurality of rolls located inanother chamber and cooperating with said support to gradually support Within one of said chambers and sheet formingrolls located in another of said chambers andv co-operating with said movable support to gradually reduce said molten glassthrough successive stages to a sheet of substantially predetermined thickness and Width.

7. Sheet glass forming apparatus comprising in combination, a plurality of separate adjoining temperature controlled chambers, a continuous support movable through said chambers, means for controlling the temperature of said movable support, means for depositing a mass of molten glass upon said support Within one of said chambers and a plurality yof rolls arranged Within another of said chambers and lco-operating with said movable support to subject the mass of molten glass to ,successive rolling operations wherein the glass is spread outwardly from its center and graduallyreduced through successive stages to a sheet of substantially predetermined thickness and width.

8. In the process of forming sheet glass, those steps which consist in depositing a mass of molten glass upon a moving support, gradually rolling the glass through successive stages to sheet form while upon saidsupport,

it from said support, and in controlling the temperature of the glass contacting surface of said support during the formation of the sheet thereupon and its subsequent annealing. y

9. In the process of forming sheet glass, those steps which consist in depositing a mass ot' molten glass upon a movingsupport, re-

ducing the thickness of the glass while upon in then annealing the glass prior to removing said su port iirst at its center, then adually r ucing the end portions throug successive sta es to the same thickness, and in then annea ing the glass prior to removing it from said support.

10. In the process of forming sheet glass, those steps which consist in depositing a mass of molten glass upon a moving su port, re-

l ducing the thicknessof ltheglass w le upon said support first at its center, then gradually reducing the end portions through successive stages to the same thickness, then annealing the glass prior to removingit kfrom said ing member and cooperatin `gradually reduce the support, and 1n applying heat to the underside of the glass contacting surface of said support during the formation of the sheet thereupon and its subsequent annealing.

i 11. In apparatus for forming sheet glass, a longitudmally moving, horizontal supporting member, means for depositin a mass o molten glass thereupon, and a p urality of rolls mounted above said support,v

formin said rc ls being constructed to reduce the glass first at its center and to then gradually reduce the end portions through successive stages to the same thickness whereby to form a sheet of `substantially predetermined thickness.

12. In ap aratusfor forming sheet glass, a longitudina 1y moving, ing member, means for deposit-ing a mass of molten glass thereupon, forming rolls mounted above said sup rttherewit to glass l rough successive stages to a sheet of substantially predetermined dimensions, the tirstroll adjacent the point of deposit of the molten glass upon the supporting member tapering from its center towards its opposite ends and the last roll furtherest remote from said point being cylindrical.

13. In ap aratus for forming sheet glass, a longitudina ly moving, horizontal` supporting member, means for depositing a mass of molten lass thereupon, a plurality of forming rol mounted above said supportin member and cooperating therewith to gra ually reduce themolten glass through succes- .sive stages to sheet form, the iirst roll adjacent the point of deposit of the molten glass upon thesupporting member tapering rom vits center towards its oplposite ends and the succeeding followin ro s rogressively and gradually approaching cylilndrical form.

` means disposed at the o f support in the course o horizontal supportstages 1 In apparatus for formlng sheet glass, a

movablesupport adapted to receive ya mass of molten glass thereupon, means cooperating with the support for reducing the molten lglass tto sheet form, said movable sup ort aving internal heating chambers, and xed posite sides of the u travel thereof for directing 'heating llames into said chambers as said support is moved st the same.

Si ed at Toledo, in t e county of Lucas and tate of Ohio, this 18th day of January JOHN L. psalm.

and a plurality of 14.v In apparatus for forming sheet glass,v

a movable support adapted to receive. a mass of molten glass thereupon( means rating with the support for re ucing the' g' ass to sheet form, said movable support wing provided with heat chambers, and xed means disposed in the course of travel of said support for heating said chambers as saidsupport is moved past the same.

15. The process of forming sheet glass,

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